You're vegan

Leeds’ food scene is thriving, with brand new restaurants opening each and every month. Among these new restaurants, almost all have at least some tasty vegan offerings, with many having entire menus devoted to delicious plant-based meals.

As well as having lots of varied and wonderful new openings, Leeds has plenty of vegan-friendly old favourites, and many well-known chain restaurants which serve up vegan meals and treats, such as Nando’s, Wagamamma, YO Sushi, Zizi and Pizza Express.

Here’s just a hint of what you can enjoy in Leeds as a vegetarian or vegan – pretty cool, right?

Cheap eats and snacks (under £5)

Humpit

This little gem is located within the beautiful Corn Exchange building in Leeds city centre. Humpit sells freshly made hummus, yummy falafel and fluffy pita breads – all for great prices. It’s perfect for a quick healthy lunch when you’re exploring the city centre.

Student favourite vegan dishes:

The Humpit Classic – a bowl of creamy hummus with pitta on the side

Leeds Beckett SU

If you’re after a fast, cheap meal on campus that’s vegan friendly, then the SU is the place for you. The SU serves plenty of vegan meals, and even more which you can make vegan on request. It’s perfect for stopping by in-between lectures!

Veggie breakfast

Tomato and pesto panini

Jacket potato with veggie chilli

Image provided by student Holly

Temple coffee and donuts

This amazing place in Kirkstall serves the most Insta-friendly coffees and donuts we have ever seen! Their lattes (which come in a variety of rainbow colours) are perfect for a post-revision pick me up. They also sell a range of tasty vegan donuts, which change every week.

Student favourite vegan dishes:

Cereal milk ice cream float (it tastes like coco pops!)

Image provided by student Vinny

Mid-priced

Fettle Café

This beautiful little Scandi –inspired café on Great George street has a large vegan offering. Their food is all sourced locally, and they carefully consider the health benefits of each and every dish - meaning you can enjoy their meals guilt-free! On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings they also offer a fine dining experience, which is a must-visit if you fancy a treat.

Student favourite vegan dishes:

Mushrooms and cashew nut cream with truffle on sourdough toast

Buckwheat noodle salad with smoked tofu

Beetroot, coconut and pea risotto

Image provided by student Millie

Global Tribe Café

This vegetarian restaurant is famous in Leeds. It’s pretty hidden – it’s tucked away down a side street at the top of Briggate (Leeds’ main shopping street). Once you find it, you won’t be disappointed! This quirky little café serves up yummy, fresh meals and even does a raw special if you’re particularly health conscious.

Student favourite dishes:

Full English Breakfast with ALL THE TRIMMINGS

The vegan cake (always different but always delicious)

GT Nourish Bowl

Image provided by student Anna

Rola Wala

Described as ‘Twisted Indian street food’, this student favourite in Trinity Kitchen is known for its exciting flavours. Here you can enjoy a naan roll or a spicy rice bowl, with toppings and fillings such as spicy lentils, fresh salads, pickles, chutneys and more. They even do student discount, so don’t forget your student card when you visit.

Student favourite vegan dishes:

Red dal spicy rice bowl

Kerlan chickpea naan roll

Hansa's

Hansa’s Gujarati Restaurant is located at the top end of the city centre, close to city campus. It is an all vegetarian Indian restaurant that’s been around for 33 years! Most dishes can be made vegan, and there’s even an entirely vegan dessert menu – do we need to say any more?

Mogs

Well, Mogs really doesn’t need much introduction. This all-vegan takeaway is the stuff of legend in Leeds. It serves the yummiest junk food you could imagine – perfect for when you feel like a treat. Take a look at their Instagram feed we guarantee you’ll be hungry afterwards!

Bundobust

This laid-back, minimalist vegetarian restaurant is located on Mill Hill, close to Leeds train station. It serves delicious Indian street food and some unusual craft beers. Most dishes here can be made vegan, so be sure to ask when you arrive. Their combo meal deals also mean that a yummy meal for two is pretty affordable on a student budget - result!

Oranaise Café

Oranaise is a North African café and takeaway that’s located on Hyde Park corner, in the middle of city and Headingley campus. They have a HUGE dedicated vegan menu, which has quite the variety of items on it – including breakfast, burgers, pizza, kebabs, tapas, tagines and more.

Cantina

Cantina is Leeds’ first all vegan restaurant. It’s located up near Merrion Street, meaning that it’s easy to get to from city campus. Their menu is ever-changing, meaning you can visit regularly and never get bored.

Student favourite vegan dishes:

Southern fried tofu bites with chipotle BBQ sauce

Faux fish and chunky chips

Seitan hotdog with onions, mustard, ketchup and chunky chips

My Thai

My Thai has a couple of restaurants in Leeds, meaning that in the city centre you’re never far away from one. They’re lively and inviting spaces which sell traditional Thai cuisine. Their new vegan only menu means that you can enjoy all of your your favourite Thai meals (such as green and red curry) minus the meat and dairy.

Roots and Fruits

Roots and Fruits is another vegetarian only café in Leeds. It’s been around for over 20 years and it’s located in the Grand Arcade – a quirky little arcade full of independent shops, bars and cafes. Why not head there and have a little wander around to while away an afternoon?

Special treat

Tattu

Tattu is a stunning, contemporary Chinese restaurant in the centre of Leeds. Tattu is all about aesthetics – it’s beautifully decorated, the food is lovingly presented, and the cocktails are the fanciest things you’ll ever see! They have plenty of vegan choices on their menu, so it’s the perfect place to visit if you fancy a sophisticated meal out.

Student favourite vegan dishes:

Mixed dim sum basket

Salt and pepper aubergine

Chilli crusted tofu

Image provided by student Naomi Joan-Marie Matanda

Issho

Issho is another beautiful restaurant in Leeds whose food is as pretty as the surroundings! They serve Japanese cuisine, and have their own dedicated vegan menu. They even do a vegan afternoon tea… what could be better?

Student favourite vegan dishes:

Spicy tofu bao bun

Tofu and vegetable teriyaki skewers

Mushroom soba noodle soup

Socialising

Leeds Beckett’s Vegetarian and Vegan society

All of these places are pretty amazing, and there are plenty more which we couldn’t fit onto our list. The very best way to find out more about what’s on offer for vegans in Leeds is by joining Leeds Beckett’s Vegetarian and Vegan society. They host socials and tasting evenings, as well as enjoying plenty of fun nights out. Take a look at Leeds Beckett SU’s website to find out how you can join them.

Cookery classes

If you love vegan meals but struggle cooking them, why not head to a cookery class to brush up on your skills? ‘Leeds cookery school’ hosts in-depth classes, as well as more relaxed group events. Why not go along and learn to cook something spectacular for your new housemates? Or, go along with a few friends and make a night of it. A great thing about Leeds is that once you’ve mastered your new recipes, you could include some funky ingredients, as we have plenty of exciting international supermarkets for you to have a snoop around.

The Grub and Grog Shop’s veggie food evenings

The Grub and Grog shop is based in Sheaf Street Cafeteria, a funky little venue which hosts many different events. All of their events have a common feature - fresh, delicious vegetarian and vegan food. Upcoming events include: an Indonesian food evening, a vegan street food and live music event and a pop-up board game café.

Vegan food and drink festivals

Vegan food festivals are becoming a regular occurrence here in Leeds. At Christmas, Leeds Town Hall hosts a Christmas vegan market, where you can bring your friends and have a great evening stocking up on gifts and eating delicious food! Leeds Indie Food also hosts ‘Veg North’, a monthly plant-based street food celebration, where you can wash down your yummy food quirky craft beers and wines.